Abide

Where do you get the strength that you need for each day? Who or what guides your thoughts, emotions and decisions? How do you stay grounded in the truth and love?

Jesus calls us to abide in him, remain close to him, walk with him daily. He called his first disciples to this type of relationship and he calls us to that type of relationship with him today. Notice this encounter of Jesus with some of his first followers.

John 1:35-42
³⁵ The next day, John [the Baptist] was standing with two of his disciples. ³⁶  When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” ³⁷ The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus.

³⁸  When Jesus turned and noticed them following him, he asked them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” ³⁹ “Come and you’ll see,” he replied. So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. ⁴¹  He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah.” (which is translated “the Christ”), ⁴²  and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, he said,“You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated “Peter”).

There is much to notice in this story, but let me make a few observations.

• These men were not looking for Jesus to provide earthly wealth, flashy miracles, government takeovers or anything like that, they simply wanted to spend the day with Jesus. That is the most important part of this story. They wanted to spend the day with Jesus. Every day. That is what abiding in Christ looks like.
• The important question that Jesus asked them is the same question he asks us, “What are you looking for?” Are you looking for God to simply be you think about every once in a while when you go to church or get in trouble (needing a bail-out) or face a health challenge, OR are you looking for someone who wants to spend time with you every day? Jesus wants to spend time with you. Every day. Talk to him in prayer. Read the Bible daily and let him speak to you through his Word. Abide in him. Remain close to him. That’s what “praying without ceasing” is all about.
• When you abide in Christ, you will want others to know him. One of the first things that Andrew did after spending time with Jesus was to go find his brother Simon (who became known as Simon Peter) and introduce him to Jesus. When you remain close to Jesus, you will develop a heart to want your friends, family and others to know him as well.

Let’s abide in Christ today.